If you've ever been fortunate enough to experience the care of a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), you likely realize what a comforting experience it can be.

Having health care challenges addressed so gently and non-invasively was a foreign concept to me having undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer – lymphoma – at age twenty-five.

It wasn't over. At age twenty-five, the lymphoma became active again and with a vengeance. Thankfully, I was guided to engage naturopathic medicine as my only choice for health and, ultimately, life.

Unfortunately, I had to leave the state to receive the necessary treatment.

Why? Because New York State NDs are not licensed to practice to the fullest extent of their training; in this state they are unable to fully utilize their skills and education.

Why is licensure important?

It ensures that you will be safe when seeing a naturopath by:

• Requiring appropriate and extensive education

• Requiring testing for competence through board examinations

• Defining the scope of practice boundaries

• Requiring continuing education

• Demanding compliance with public health and OSHA standards

• Allowing for recourse by a responsible board in the case of complaints or substandard care.

Licensure will not inhibit consumer choices regarding the decision to seek care from the various practitioners who recommend natural therapies. Licensure will assure that the public can distinguish naturopaths with an accredited four-year naturopathic medical school education from those with an online correspondence degree.

Other practitioners who recommend natural therapies will be able to continue to offer services when licensure exists for naturopaths. The difference will be that you will have the option to see a licensed expert in natural therapies who is trained to evaluate your health and help you navigate through the natural options for your health.

Although NDs are not currently licensed in NYS, NDs who are members of the professional organization for naturopathy in NYS are required to hold a license from one of fourteen states or three districts who have passed licensing laws.

Before you pack your bags to move to another state like I temporarily did, you must know that you can help NDs get licensed in New York. A bill that would license NDs in NYS – S1617 and A5208 - is currently under consideration at the Capitol. 

This legislation has gained rapid support because legislators feel it is important to protect the public by licensing naturopaths.  Still, time is short in the current legislative session and legislators need to know that this is a priority for you this year.

How can you help? Contact your legislators. Just go to http://www.nyanp.org and click on the "write your legislators" link. This tool will walk you through the steps necessary to write and directly email your letter of support to your legislators based on the NY address you enter.

The New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP) is the professional organization for naturopaths in New York. The mission of the NYANP is to advance and promote naturopathic medicine, support our members and to educate, protect and improve the health of the public of New York State. 

Diane Paradise recently moved to Arizona to get naturopathic treatment for her cancer.  She has a website with her story http://www.dianeparadise.com/